Tajikistan teeters on the brink of failure. This mountainous andlandlocked country, the poorest in Central Asia, confronts thechallenges of good governance and economic survival. These domesticstruggles become even more problematic as international forcesprepare to withdraw from neighboring Afghanistan, leaving CentralAsian countries to ensure regional stability.In Tajikistan's Difficult Development Path, MarthaBrill Olcott traces the political, economic, and social changefollowing the country's independence and international efforts toavert state collapse. The Tajik government's commitment to reformhas been inconsistent, and substantial foreign assistance providedsince the end of the country's civil war has not led to the desiredeconomic and political development.Olcott concludes that the Tajik leadership faces a seriousdilemma: fully embrace reform or continue moving toward statefailure. Tajikistan's decision will have very real implications forthis troubled region.